Megawati calls for mutual respect

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has called for mutual respect and parity among member countries of the Asia-Europe forum.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) here on Thursday, Megawati asserted that dictating to each other would only lead to the failure of cooperation between the countries.

"Our experience has taught us that it is essential to build mutual understanding, refrain from the imposition of will and respect each other when we are determined to engage in cooperation," Megawati told participants of the meeting.

The President pointed out that there were differences of opinions between Asia and Europe when it came to dealing with various issues, which she said could be solved should both sides always be mindful and accept the differences.

Her statement came against the backdrop of the growing perception in Asia that Europe continues to judge several countries through their standards of human rights and democratization.

Despite most Asian countries needing financial support from Europe, the pressure to emulate democratization in Europe in exchange for aid is difficult to accept by Asian countries.

In her opening remarks, Megawati said there should be a sincere intention by both Asian and European sides when working together.

"It is within the Asia-Europe partnership that I would like to underline that we need to be really sincere, honest and earnest to accept and respect differences," she stressed.

"Each and every one of us is aware of the differences between Asia and Europe, and in fact is also mindful of the diversity existing even among countries in Asia."

She said that both continents had wasted time and energy to make the existing cooperation work, but the results had been inadequate due to the ongoing debate on the differing approaches in dealing with things.

"Admittedly, we have wasted much time without really accomplishing substantive and concrete benefit to our people in our joint efforts to carry out our vision into the 21st century," Megawati said.